Monthly Archives: March 2021

Fellow Optimists and Friends,

The Del Mar-Solana Beach Optimist Club conducted its annual Essay Scholarship Contest based on a theme of “Reaching your Dreams by Choosing Optimism“.

A panel of three judges evaluated the local students’ essays using strict Optimist International rules to determine the winners. First, second, and third place winners will present their Essays at the Club’s Wednesday evening ‘Zoom’ meeting on March 17^th at 6:00 PM. 

First Place went to Sydney Mafong, a student at Pacific Trails Middle School. Sydney was awarded a check for $250.00, gold medallion, and certificate. Her essay advanced to the District contest for a chance at even greater prizes including a college scholarship.

Second Place went to Olivia D, a student at Torrey Pines High School. Olivia was awarded a check for $150.00, silver medallion, and certificate.

Third Place went to Adam Proshchenko, a student at Torrey Hills Elementary School. Adam was awarded a check for $100.00, bronze medallion, and certificate.

“These students all did a wonderful job of articulating this year’s theme among some tough competition. They expressed themselves well through the essay and deserved the honors they received,” Club Essay Scholarship Contest Chairperson, Janis Lavigne said.

The Optimist Club of Del Mar – Solana Beach, CA has been participating in the Optimist Essay Scholarship Contest for many years and has been active in the community since 1981.  Other programs and service projects that the Club is involved in include the Optimist Oratorical Scholarship Contest, Miracle League of San Diego, Junior Optimist Clubs, Scouts, Children’s Challenge Awards, Casa de Amistad, Ronald McDonald House, Rady Children’s Hospital, Community Resource Center, and High School Scholarship programs.    

The announcement of the Club’s Essay Scholarship Contest Winners also appeared today in this week’s local newspapers dated March 11, 2021.

During this evening’s Board of Directors Meeting, some of the participants asked what our Junior Optimist Clubs are doing, if they are meeting, and any projects ongoing.  The below forwarded message is sent by Sydney Mafong, President of our newly formed Pacific Trails Middle School Junior Optimist International (JOI) Club.  This is a repeat of a project they performed earlier this year making nutritious lunches for the needy to be distributed by Father Joe’s Village.  This coming Friday they are making lasagna for distribution by an organization called “Lasagna Love”.  The members will prepare their lasagnas in their own homes at the same time using the “Zoom” platform to make it a comradery building joint project.  In their short time in existence they have already performed park cleanups and hiking trail cleanups with Park Rangers.  They are also currently conducting neighborhood recycling to obtain funds to do even more projects, while performing valuable community service at the same time.  These wonderful young Optimists get it!  They find ways to do valuable community service even under the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and while not being able to meet live, in-person, in their school.  Keep up the GREAT work Junior Optimists!

Optimistically,

Jim Parrotte

Junior Optimist Clubs Committee Chair, 

Del Mar – Solana Beach Optimist Club  

From: Mafong, Sydney  

Hi Everyone,

Here are some updates on the Pacific Trails Middle School JOI Club:

Many of you have been working on the recycling project. Hopefully your recycling bins are filling up. My bin was filled up last week! Hopefully we can get more donations throughout the week. If you are participating in this project, please let me know how you are doing. The date we are meeting at the recycling center will be determined depending on the amount of donations you all have.

On Friday, March 5th, 5 of us participated in our second sack lunch making project! We made 113 sack lunches! I attached some photos of our project to this email. A special thank you to Katie and her family for buying all the supplies for this project. We still have leftover supplies so if we can do this project again!

This Friday, March 12, we are having a virtual lasagna making! We are making lasagnas at home while on Google Meet. The food will be donated to families in need through an organization called Lasagna Love. Thank you to Ariana for being the project manager for this event. Ariana sent more details for this project in a separate email. Please contact Ariana by tomorrow, March 10 if you will be participating. If you are participating, please have all the ingredients and a lasagna recipe ready for Friday. I hope to see you all there, virtually!

Thank you so much to everyone participating in our projects. I’ve had so much fun with our projects and meeting some of you in-person. I really hope those of you who have not yet been able to participate in projects can take part in our lasagna project/future events. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Optimistically,

Sydney

Optimist International

Oratorical World Championships Goes Virtual

An important announcement from the Optimist International Oratorical Committee regarding the upcoming World Championships. To protect the safety of the students, volunteers, and staff, the 2021 Optimist International Oratorical Regional and World Championship contests will be held virtually again this year and will be live-streamed. Moreover, thanks to the generosity of the Optimist International Foundation and the Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation, the scholarships offered at the District, Regional, and World Championships have been fully funded. ~ Dave Bruns Member of the International Oratorical CommitteePlease visit the official World Oratorical website page to download the full press release. Click here: https://www.optimist.org/member/scholarships4.cfm